Fox Valley Technical College Focus Magazine | Fall 2020

Special Insert: Explore Fox Valley Tech Degrees

focus Fox Valley Technical College

volume 13, issue 2 • Fall 2020

your future

MADE FOR THIS MOMENT When the going gets tough, the tough get going: how our approach prepares students for life.

Inside: Students of color find support Page 7 IT skills in demand Page 8 Courtrooms go high-tech Page 12

contents MADE FOR THIS MOMENT:

Adaptability is an employability essential that’s ingrained in each and every FVTC class. It’s about how we teach our students to anticipate change and positively respond to it. The Fall 2020 edition of Focus is about how our approach prepares students for life’s uncertainties.

On the cover: Medical Lab Technician graduate Rachel Werner.

Focus is published bi-annually for the communities of Fox Valley Technical College.

Director of College Marketing Barb Dreger Executive Editor Casey Britten Art Director Cara Jakubiec Contributing Editors Carmelyn Daley-Hinkens, Susan Lucius Contributing Writers Becky Boulanger, Casey Britten, Mary Schmidt

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Photographers Gary Brilowski, Gary Gawinski, Brandon Landwehr, Luke Voegtline President Dr. Susan A. May Fox Valley Technical College

1825 N. Bluemound Dr., P.O. Box 2277 Appleton, WI 54912-2277 1-800-735-3882 • www.fvtc.edu TTY (hearing impaired) 711 State Relay System

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baughman@fvtc.edu (email inquiries) Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission since 1974.

FVTC offers more than 200 associate degree, technical diploma and certificate programs, and instruction related to 15 apprenticeship trades, in addition to providing services to business and industry. The college serves about 45,000 people annually, more than any other technical college in Wisconsin. © 2020 Fox Valley Technical College.

Fox Valley Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action institution, providing equal opportunity to all persons, including members of underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds, females, veterans and individuals of all abilities. For questions regarding the College’s nondiscrimination policy, contact: Rayon Brown – brown@ fvtc.edu (Affirmative Action), TitleIX@fvtc.edu (gender discrimination, including sex-based violence) or Elizabeth Burns – burnse@fvtc.edu (disability related discrimination).

13 2-4 Around FVTC

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OUR VISION IS TO BE: A catalyst in engaging partners to bring innovative educational solutions to individuals, employers, and communities – transforming challenges into opportunities.

Future Foxes

Meet 2020 high school graduates.

6

Alumni Spotlight

Father and son complete the GED-to-Work program together.

7

Beyond the Classroom

OUR MISSION IS TO: Provide relevant technical education and training to support student goals, a skilled workforce, and the economic vitality of our communities.

See what’s making news.

Equity and student support drive the work of the Diversity & Inclusion Services team.

8-13 Made for this Moment

When the going gets tough, the tough get going: how our approach

prepares students for life.

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15

Developing the Workforce

ATW ARFF Training Center prepares firefighters to take on airport emergencies.

Open for Business

The Venture Center has been helping businesses launch and grow since 2000.

16 Foundation

New mom finds her footing with the Starting Point 2.0 program.

Win a $50 !

Amazon gift card

t reader survey by Complete a shor for a February 1, 2021 chance to win.

ocusSurvey www.fvtc.edu/F

AROUND FVTC

AROUND FVTC

Construction Management Student Helps During Pandemic

News Briefs For the latest Fox Valley Technical College news, visit www.fvtc.edu/News.

Real-world pandemic response provides vital learning experience for student Dylan Casey.

• Becki Schultz has been named

When Dylan Casey, 20, started his internship with The Boldt Company last January, he never anticipated he’d be helping hospitals respond to a pandemic. As Boldt began building temporary care centers to support emergency room overflow, Casey served as a liaison between construction workers and vendors in acquiring supplies.

Dylan Casey

The projects included drive-through testing facilities and overflow

tents for treating patients at local healthcare facilities in Green Bay, Marinette, Oshkosh and Two Rivers. The entire project was completed in under two weeks.

“It was an amazing experience,” says Casey, who will graduate from the Construction

Management Technology program in May 2021. “I realized just how much the construction industry adapts to change and is also there to help those in need.”

Casey’s efforts were appreciated by the Boldt team. “Dylan provided much-needed

support for two crews working from sunrise to sunset to get these projects completed,” explains Eric Swanlund, Senior Director, Boldt. “He was very dedicated and available for all challenges 24/7!”

Casey also took the initiative to present a learning opportunity to his classmates by

Take A Class Learn a new skill, explore a new career, and stay close to home taking classes that will transfer to other colleges. New classes are added regularly, so visit often for the most current options. Search for classes and register online at www.fvtc.edu/TakeAClass.

creating a video highlighting various aspects of the construction process. His instructor,

Executive Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer at Fox Valley Technical College.

Brown oversees the Office of Diversity & Inclusion Services, tribal outreach and affirmative action.

The know-how that Casey gained by working in the field was invaluable. “It was the

• Drew Bisarek was named

Drew Bisarek

2020 Wisconsin Technical College System Ambassador for Fox Valley Technical College.

In this role, the double-major Information Technology student serves as a leader and advocate on behalf of the college in raising awareness about the importance of technical education in Wisconsin.

Technology Instructor Kari Meixl embedded LinkedIn Learning into her Professional Sales course to bring relationship-building to life. LinkedIn Learning took note and published a blog post about it, entitled “What Happened When LinkedIn Learning Was Embedded Into a Classroom.”

pivotal moment in my life where I finally knew where I want to be,” he says.

Construction of drive-through testing site and overflow tent (below).

Rayon Brown

benefited from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. CARES is an emergency financial assistance fund that provides grants to students during a time when their college schedules and routines have been disrupted by COVID19. At press time, nearly $1.3 million has been distributed to our students.

In June 2020, FVTC President Dr. Susan May wrote about racial injustice, inequity and society’s need to come together in her blog post, “A Call for Unity.” Read the complete post at fvtcsusan.wordpress.com.

Kari Meixl

Campus Regional Center

Read | Watch | Share See something you like? The articles in this magazine are easily accessible with additional links, photos and videos at www.fvtc.edu/Focus.

• More than 1,200 FVTC students have

Becki Schultz

• In spring 2020, FVTC Business

Rich Cass, used the footage during online classes as a real-time learning tool.

• Rayon Brown has been named

FVTC Vice President of Human Resources. In this role, Schultz oversees talent acquisition, risk management, and organizational and staff development, as well as payroll, labor and employee relations, and benefits and compensation for the college.

Clintonville

Learn Close to Home

Waupaca Appleton Chilton

Wautoma

Whether you’re looking to take a class or earn a degree, you have options and support at our campuses or regional centers throughout the area.

Oshkosh

Appleton Campus Oshkosh Campus Chilton Regional Center Clintonville Regional Center Waupaca Regional Center Wautoma Regional Center

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AROUND FVTC

Thanks to these area Class of 2020 high school graduates who shared their pics with us to be featured on our Facebook page.

Welcome to Fox Valley Tech! #FVTCproud

PPE Supplies Given to Area Hospitals

foxes

social

Fox Valley Technical College donates more than 58,000 PPE items to local healthcare providers.

In March 2020, as area healthcare providers were struggling to keep up with their supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), Fox Valley Technical College staff rallied to gather supplies from across the college.

At that time, PPE items were in short supply and hospitals found

themselves struggling to find enough equipment. In all, the college donated more than 58,000 PPE items to Ascension, Aurora and Donated PPE items

ThedaCare to help the area healthcare providers remain safe as they contended with the COVID-19 outbreak.

Although a majority of the supplies came from the college's Health

division, other instructional areas chipped in as well, including programs from the Transportation and Service divisions.

FVTC Director of Security Services Jayme Bowman coordinated the effort. “It was an honor to be part of this project,” she says. “I was thankful the college was able to provide supplies to local healthcare facilities in this critical time of need.”

Spanish for Construction Bridges Communication Gaps

Andy Tremel

#FVTCproud #FutureFoxes

FVTC Global Education and construction trades team up to promote understanding, safety and productivity on job sites.

Most everyone can identify a few words in Spanish but getting beyond “hola” to “hand me the hammer” takes some work. The Spanish Language & Culture for Construction course teaches English speakers functional Spanish to use on-the-job.

“Our main goal is to communicate better with co-workers,” says FVTC instructor Maria Carone.

“Building awareness of cultural differences helps co-workers better understand each other rather than misinterpreting

On-the-Job Understanding

information,” which also helps job site safety.

Spanish for Construction is just one of the occupational-

Andy Tremel, a student in the FVTC Electrician apprenticeship

specific classes offered by the Global Education team. Other

program and Suburban Electric employee, explains, “Knowing what

classes include Spanish for Law Enforcement and Spanish

different tools are called helps so much because you can understand

for Healthcare, and the specialized training can be paired

what co-workers are talking about.” He adds that the Spanish speakers

with other occupations or replicated in other languages.

also appreciate that the English-speaking team members took the initiative to learn their language.

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Something to share?

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/Global

Follow us and tag #FutureFoxes or #FVTCproud to be featured on our website and social channels.

@FoxValleyTech

@FoxValleyTech

@FoxValleyTech

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ALUMNI

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

“

”

When I’m at FVTC, I know I’m in a safe place.

Nadia Summers

A Place of Belonging

Equity and student support drive the work of the Diversity & Inclusion Services team.

Nadia Summers, 20, is excited to continue her education toward earning a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology.

In December 2020, she’ll graduate from the Forensic Science program, and she’s quick to thank her mentor for her success. “Coop has done a great job keeping me on track to graduate,” she says of Greg Cooper, a member of the FVTC Diversity & Inclusion Services team as well as the manager of Employment Connections. “He makes sure to ask how classes are going, how life is going, and takes the time to talk with my teachers about how I’m doing.”

Cooper explains, “My role here is to recognize the struggles and challenges our students from diverse backgrounds go through, and help them find the resources they need.”

Chief Diversity Officer Rayon Brown oversees all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for FVTC. “One of the Simon Cadena (left) and his son Ryne

college’s core values is diversity, which we live and breathe every day,” says Brown. “Our work supports all students, and part of that is helping students of color overcome the challenges of inequity.”

Q & A with Simon and Ryne Cadena

“The Fox Valley Tech staff, overall, just care. When I’m at FVTC, I know I’m in a safe place.”

Father and son Simon and Ryne Cadena of Oshkosh completed the GED-to-Work program together in Fall 2019, encouraged

by Rebecca, Simon’s wife and Ryne’s mom.

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/Diversity

Students like Summers are grateful for the encouragement. “Teachers go above and beyond to help,” she says.

Funded by a Wisconsin Fast Forward grant, the GED-to-Work program was a partnership between Pierce Manufacturing and Fox Valley Technical College and concluded in Fall 2020. Students earned their GED® while working part-time at Pierce, with the promise of a full-time job upon completion.

We talked with Simon and Ryne about the experience, their GED teacher Kelly Galarneau and why sometimes all you need is to have someone believe in you.

What did you like about the program?

How did Fox Valley Tech help you?

Simon: I doubted myself, but the whole process was so easy.

When you come in for your GED, you don’t really know what to expect. You wonder, “Can I do this?” And with Kelly, he says, “Yes, you can. Just put your mind to it.” My wife didn’t doubt me, my son didn’t doubt me, Kelly didn’t doubt me.

S: I’ve tried to get my GED before but was told I wasn’t ready.

When I came to FVTC, it was different. Kelly pushed me; he’s just a phenomenal teacher. I hope there are more teachers out there like him. And now my wife got her reward by us graduating, and I got a good job.

Ryne: It was great having Pierce back us too, helping us accomplish our goal.

R: In high school, when I found out there was no way I was going to graduate, I just gave up. If it wasn’t for my mom’s encouragement, I wouldn’t have done this. When I came to Fox Valley Tech, Kelly looked at my scores, figured out what I needed to work on and helped me focus on that. He wanted us to succeed as much as we wanted it for ourselves.

What was it like going to school together?

R: Definitely weird (laughs). I was fresh out of high school, so it was a little strange going from being in class with people the same age to having your father sitting next to you. But it was also nice having a familiar face.

S: I think I was the oldest in the group, and hadn’t been in school for 35 years. So it was awkward, but also motivating.

Greg Cooper and Nadia Summers

Finish High School!

If you’ve been thinking about finishing high school, you can earn your GED® credential or HSED with Fox Valley Tech. Classes are personal and flexible: start anytime and complete when you've met your goals.

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/GED

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Made for

THIS MOMENT

Healthcare Heroes When the going gets tough, the tough get going: how our approach prepares students for life.

Pandemic shines a light on healthcare careers.

Healthcare work has taken on new significance with the onset

the pandemic has had is to shine a light on the lab and the work that we do.”

Healthcare employers like Ascension turn to Fox Valley

of the COVID-19 pandemic. If working in healthcare is a

Tech for people with this passion and skill. “Our region

calling, many are reassessing their lives in response to that

needs dedicated, compassionate and skilled healthcare

call to help others.

professionals,” says Heather Schimmers, RN, Chief Nursing

Nursing is a popular career choice and for good reason: it’s a Alex Basiliere is a student in the Network Systems Administration program. His work at the FVTC Student Help Desk allows him to share his knowledge and help others.

“I enjoy the fast pace of the lab,” she says. “We never stop learning and are constantly adapting. One positive impact that

Officer for Ascension Wisconsin. “The hands-on training FVTC

rewarding, highly respected career with solid earning potential

graduates receive helps them jump right in at a time when we

and job security. However, there are a variety of other health

need it most.”

careers that are just as fulfilling.

When Rachel Werner, 34, took the phlebotomy essentials

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/HealthScience

class as part of her nursing curriculum, she wasn’t aware that working in a lab was an option. “It seemed that if you wanted to work in healthcare you could either be a nurse or a doctor and that was it,” she says.

As a result, the Appleton resident transferred into the newly created Medical Laboratory Technician program.

She graduated in May 2020 and is now a lab technician at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton.

NCLEX test scores of FVTC nursing students

#1 in the nation

among 2000 nursing schools for the last

3 years

NCLEX: National Council Licensure Examination

Rachel Werner

IT Careers on the Rise Remote working fuels need for IT technicians.

If we’ve learned anything from 2020, it’s that more people than ever before are working from home.

This means increased demands on information technology (IT) services and infrastructure. As a result, IT careers have become even more in-demand as businesses work to develop new solutions to support work-from-home staff.

Sam Nail, IT Desktop Support Manager at Alta Resources in Neenah, explains, “There’s nothing simple about providing IT services anymore. It’s just more complicated, requiring more people to support.”

Alta relies on the skills FVTC grads bring to the job. “Fox Valley Tech graduates bring a good foundation of technical skills and wide knowledge of the standard IT services that exist in today’s world,” Nail says. “They’re adaptable and have a strong passion for technology, which keeps them searching for the next cool opportunity.”

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/IT

What does it take to teach nursing students during a pandemic? Take a look at how FVTC staff rallied to get it done during the challenging spring 2020 semester. • • • View video: www.fvtc.edu/HealthCare20

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Earn & Learn

The Changing World of Child Care

One-year apprenticeship program is a fast track to a promising career.

Child care providers adapt to challenges brought about by COVID-19.

The rapidly evolving world of manufacturing is taking a familiar approach to training the

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge

next generation of workers: apprenticeship.

impact on America’s child care industry.

The one-year Industrial Manufacturing

Since March 2020, many centers have

Technician (IMT) Apprentice program

closed temporarily due to health and safety

places students in innovative manufacturing

concerns, increased costs to keep children

environments to gain specific skills. The

and staff safe, and drastically reduced

program offers 3,000 hours of real-life

capacity.

instruction and earning potential at familiar

When the Safer-at-Home order began

manufacturers such as Plexus, Ariens

in March, centers had to respond quickly.

Company, Menasha Packaging and

“Per state-mandated orders, in just one day, we needed to divide into three centers

Tina Tillman (left) and Ana Avella-Calzada

Kingsbury, Inc.

IMT apprentice students from Ariens and Plexus

Unlike traditional forms of apprenticeship

to maintain physical distancing, continue to serve our families and employ all team members,” explains Tina Tillman, owner and director at Apple Tree Connections in Appleton. “We also implemented even more sanitizing to ensure the safest possible environment.” Though it was challenging, she says, “Our team came together. We learned that we need to be ready for anything.”

Apple Tree currently employs 12 students and graduates of the FVTC Early Childhood Education program who, according to Tillman, “have been amazingly resilient. Flexibility is one of the most important skills needed now—and always—in this field.”

One of these students is Ana Avella-Calzada. “The change our center went through was mind-blowing,” explains AvellaCalzada. “But parents trusted us to keep their little ones safe. I’ve never felt more appreciated or trusted.”

such as machinists, maintenance millwrights or industrial electricians, the IMT apprenticeship is more broad-based. In addition to hands-on job skills, the apprenticeship also includes training in safety, quality, production processes and maintenance awareness.

For the Ariens Company, the apprenticeship has been a way to grow future employees. “The program provides us with a deeper bench-strength of promotable and knowledgeable employees,” says Dan Barker, training and development manager for Ariens. “It really gives team members an avenue to grow and contribute more to the company.”

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/Manufacturing

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/EarlyChildhood

Moving Target Student Spotlight: Ana Avella-Calzada

Early Childhood Education, graduating May 2021 Age 21, Menasha When did you know you wanted to become a teacher?

What do you love about what you do?

Working with kids doesn’t feel like work. I get to play, dance, sing, create art and learn every day. Watching kids

Evolving technology requires quick thinking and adaptability from Digital Marketing grads.

Based in Appleton, Homestead Studio works with eCommerce businesses globally to help them develop their sales channels. Founder and CEO Zach Stuck serves on the advisory committee for the FVTC Marketing program.

“Our biggest challenge is navigating ever-changing paid advertising platforms like

learn and seeing those “aha” moments is so rewarding.

I’m the oldest of five

Google and Facebook for our clients,” Stuck explains, adding that new features,

It’s unbelievable how much more there is to teaching than

kids and helped raise

analytics and privacy laws make these tools a moving target.

simply teaching.

my siblings, so from a young age, I knew I wanted to be

He depends on his employees to be analytical thinkers with the ability to change with the evolving digital landscape. “We need our people to have a continuous

a teacher. In high school, I volunteered at a preschool.

How did FVTC prepare you for your job?

Realizing how much of an impact that teachers have on our

Thanks to FVTC, I learned hands-on how to successfully run

lives made me want to pursue a career in education.

“It’s essential to our business that graduates are not only comfortable with

my classroom. The different approaches taken in my classes

change, but also willing to seek out new ways to improve in order to excel

have helped me become more flexible and adjust to new or

in the industry.”

learning mindset,” Stuck says of the FVTC Marketing graduates he hires.

unexpected situations.

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/Marketing

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Zach Stuck, Founder/CEO, Homestead Studio

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Molly Steiner, Paralegal and 2017 graduate

The Paralegal and

Digital Court Reporting

fields are some of the fastest growing professions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Both are projected to

grow 10% by 2029.

Laura Riemer, Van Dyne, graduated from the FVTC Digital Court Reporting program in May 2020 and is a Digital Court Reporter at the 4th Judicial District in Oshkosh.

100%

Photo submitted by 4th Judicial District, Oshkosh.

grad employment with an average annual salary of

$44,000+

High-Tech Hearings

6 months after graduating

Technical skills prove invaluable in virtual court proceedings.

interviewing, research and legal analysis needed to support attorneys. A critical part of the degree is an internship with regional professionals; Appleton paralegal Molly Steiner is

Transcribing legal proceedings is increasingly reliant on technology. Digital court reporters are responsible for recording and transcribing court proceedings.

Jon Bellows, district court administrator for the 4th Judicial District in Oshkosh, explains that the pandemic has accelerated the courts’ pace of technology adoption. “Judges are holding hearings via Zoom,” he says. “To fulfill our obligation to have courts open to the public, we’re broadcasting hearings live on YouTube. FVTC graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the position."

Fox Valley Technical College is the only college in Wisconsin where you can study Digital Court Reporting. Training focuses on legal terminology, transcription and digital audio reporting techniques.

The 27-credit technical diploma also gives students a strong background in developing listening and transcription skills that are the foundation for success in a courtroom setting—whether in-person or virtual.

Source: Paralegal program data, 2019 FVTC Graduate Employment Research Report

a graduate of that process. Steiner, a 2017 graduate of the Paralegal program, works at Peterson, Berk & Cross where she also completed her internship.

Court of Law

“This program offers small class sizes even when a class is

Paralegal degree provides fast track to a dynamic and growing career field.

In TV courtroom dramas the lawyers get all the good parts, but the paralegals are the behind-the-scenes stars.

At Fox Valley Tech, the Paralegal associate degree program immerses students in legal information, teaches investigation,

being conducted online,” Steiner says. “Students can collaborate with one another and get more one-on-one with instructors as needed.” She adds that this level of personal instruction is not likely to happen even when pursuing a full legal degree.

The program is also available to complete 100% online.

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/BusinessManagement

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/BusinessManagement

Growth Mindset 2020 has been a challenging year.

But it’s also been a time to grow and learn new ways of doing things.

We asked some students how they’ve made the best of it. From life changes to lessons learned, here’s what they had to say.

Natalie Toeppler, EMT Paramedic

Mohamed Ben Dhiab, Mechanical Design Technology

I was going to Michigan Tech for a bachelor’s degree

Moving to online classes was

in engineering and started taking an emergency

hard getting used to at first, but

medical technician (EMT) course on the side—I

I’ve improved my technology skills

I’d rather attend in-person classes,

completely fell in love. Unlike my engineering

and have become much more

but it was nice to be able to stay

classes, everything in my EMT course just clicked

organized and self-disciplined. I

in Stevens Point and not have to

and now I’m enrolled in the paramedic program at

also started doing yoga, which has

drive to Appleton. I also got a lot of

Fox Valley Tech. I was really worried about changing

not only helped me relax and stay

my plans, but it has been worth it!

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www.fvtc.edu Fox Valley Technical College

Rodney Schreiber, Business Management, President, Student Government Association

practice in bean bag toss! Now that

healthy but also provided me with

my classes are online, I’ve set a schedule so I’m not

energy for my classes.

procrastinating my class work until the last moment.

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DEVELOPING THE WORKFORCE

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The Business Network The Venture Center has been helping businesses launch and grow since 2000.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the popular E-seed™

today as it was when FVTC launched its first E-seed series

series—an entrepreneur training program that builds business

in 2000,” says Pietsch. She explains that in addition to the

plans and launches enterprises. In two decades, the program

networking, the confidence and clarity that participants gain

is responsible for helping more than 500 new businesses or

from E-seed is invaluable.

expansions in the region.

E-seed proves that business is not about your net worth, but about your network, as hundreds of E-seed graduates have

occupy in our economy, our work to support them will only

stayed connected over the years. Recent graduate Megan

continue to evolve.”

Tomcek opened Bridal Runway, LLC just before the pandemic hit, and wishes she had taken the class sooner. “Just do

“

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/VentureCenter

it,” she says. “Do it for the knowledge, the networking, the

The aircraft fire training props are amazing and allow us to create so many different scenarios.

”

Ben Sokol

An Oshkosh Stryker extinguishes flames on a Boeing 777 at the ATW ARFF Training Center.

And despite the current economic downturn, she adds, “Considering the critical role startups and small business

experience. You gain everything. Amy was such a positive, high energy motivator and instructor.”

Amy Pietsch, director of the Venture Center at Fox Valley Technical College, is a nationally recognized expert in entrepreneur training and mentorship. “Equipping startups to launch and small businesses to sustain and grow is as needed

Opportunity Knocks

The pandemic has reshaped the United States economy, creating demand for new products and services and opening up opportunities. Americans are starting new businesses at the fastest rate in more than 10 years, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

Airport Firefighting Gets Real

ATW ARFF Training Center prepares firefighters to take on airport emergencies.

“

If you live in the Fox Cities, you’ve probably seen occasional black smoke coming from the direction of the Appleton International Airport (ATW).

That’s nothing to be alarmed about; it’s a sign of the live training scenarios taking place at the new Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting (ARFF) Center, which welcomed its first students during the summer and fall of 2020. Since training began

Just do it. Do it for the knowledge, the networking, the experience. You gain everything.

”

on June 1, 15 departments from throughout the Midwest have participated in airport firefighting, driver/operator and live fire recertification classes.

Megan Tomcek

The ARFF facility is a partnership with ATW and is located adjacent to the airport and the FVTC Public Safety Training Center. It provides hands-on training scenarios on a one-of-kind Boeing 777 Specialized Aircraft Fire Trainer with a broken wing and a Cessna Skyhawk training prop. It’s the only ARFF site in the Midwest designed to prepare firefighters for emergency situations of this magnitude involving aircraft.

“The aircraft fire training props are amazing and allow us to create so many different scenarios,” explains ARFF Program Instructor Ben Sokol, adding that any scenario encountered on an airfield can be re-created to produce the most realistic training available.

“The students like that they can train on every aspect of ARFF,” says Sokol. “With the Cessna Skyhawk and Boeing 777 fire simulators, we can train on everything from small aircraft fires, to fuel spills, engine fires, forcing entry into an aircraft and attacking interior cabin fires.”

While COVID-19 has slowed the start of training slightly, the training season is finishing strong. “We’re looking forward to our second training season beginning in Spring 2021,” says Sokol.

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/ARFF

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Megan Tomcek launched Bridal Runway, LLC thanks to E-seed.

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“

FOUNDATION

Why would she go to college someday if her mom didn't?

”

November Behm

Starting Fresh New mom finds her footing with the Starting Point 2.0 program.

In fall 2017, November Behm was a new mom and education was the furthest thing from her mind. When a friend told her about the Starting Point 2.0 program, it was her daughter’s future that motivated her to learn more; the program provides education for young mothers and their children together.

“What interested me most was the early childhood education for

my daughter,” says the 26-year-old from Appleton. “I wasn’t thinking about going back to school myself.”

However, thanks to the confidence she built during the semester-

long program, Behm decided to give college a chance. She also wanted to set a positive example for her daughter. “Why would she go to college someday if her mom didn’t?” she asks.

Behm enrolled in the Human Resources program, and

scholarships from the FVTC Foundation, Inc. helped ease the financial burden. She completed her associate degree in spring 2020, the first Starting Point 2.0 participant to do so. She also earned a 4.0 GPA.

Now employed as an administrative assistant for Mission

Scholarships = Worry-Free Tuition

Services at Goodwill NCW, Behm knows more education is in her future. Helping people with technology at work has sparked an interest in IT.

Behm is grateful for resources and support from Fox Valley

Paying for college is a big concern for our students.

One way to ease your mind and help you hold on to your hard-earned money is through FVTC Foundation scholarships. This is money that does not need to be paid back!

Technical College. “The Starting Point 2.0 program helped me understand the importance of education, and more importantly, showed me I’m capable of succeeding!”

• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/Foundation

November Behm at her Starting Point 2.0 graduation in May 2018.

Women of Courage

Starting Point 2.0 is designed to help women ages 18-29 with financial planning skills, empowerment and career planning.

Application deadlines for Fall 2021: High school seniors: March 5, 2021 Returning adults: May 1, 2021 Apply today: www.fvtc.edu/Scholarships

Scholarships are available for high school seniors as well as adults returning to school.

It’s free and easy to apply! Just complete one form and we’ll match you up with scholarships that match your needs.

It is a partnership between Fox Valley Technical College, the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region and B.A.B.E.S. Child Abuse Prevention Services. Women without children are welcome to participate in Starting Point’s sister program, EmpowHER. • • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/Women

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www.fvtc.edu Fox Valley Technical College

focus fall 2020

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NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 700 MILWAUKEE, WI

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Explore Fox Valley Tech online, wherever you are!

When you can't tour in person, you can still experience all FVTC has to offer using our virtual tour.

Tour campus buildings, program areas, classrooms & more with a tap of your finger or click of a mouse. You'll find helpful videos, photos & 360-degree views of many points of interest.

Be our guest! www.fvtc.edu/VirtualTour

Apply for admission t oday: www.fvtc.edu /Apply

Appleton • Chilton • Clintonville • Oshkosh • Waupaca • Wautoma